In the end, Xing Siqing couldnât bear to be idle and stood up.
Huo Qinyu attempted to stop her, but it was already too late.
Xing Siqing marched directly to the stage, grabbed a nearby microphone, and smiled as she loudly proclaimed, âLittle sister-in-law, my elder brother presented you with such a large bouquet of rainbow roses and gifted you such an expensive coupleâs diamond watch. Donât you have anything to give to big brother in return?â
As if afraid Su Wanwan might refuse, she immediately proposed, âHow about this? Little sister-in-law, you play the violin so well. Youâve already performed one popular song, why not play an international classic for big brother now?â
Su Wanwan looked at her excited face, withholding a laughter before responding, âSister Siqing, my husband and I have already taken up so much of everyoneâs time on stage, we really feel guilty. Today is not my performance stage, and Granny Ming will have to give a speech later. To avoid stealing the limelight, I will not perform.â
Retro makeup made her appear vivid and grand. Coupled with the court-style dress Su Wanwan wore, she stood beside Huo Jingshen, elegant and slender. Her words were tasteful and composed, neither humble nor arrogant.
Seeing this, the elderly woman at the main table, Granny Ming, couldnât help but nod in satisfaction.
However, Xing Siqing couldnât fully control her feelings. Gritting her teeth, she quickly replied, âA song doesnât take very long. Besides, today is Valentineâs Day, and there are so many people here. Whatâs forbidden about performing one more song? Are you so scared⦠could it be⦠you can only play that one popular song?â
Her words reeked of provocation, and the alert guests immediately started whispering amongst themselves.
âIf soâ¦â Su Wanwan curled her red lips into a smile, watching Xing Siqing, âWhy donât you, Siqing, suggest a few international classics? You can tell me which ones you would like, and Iâll choose from them.â
Afer saying this, she tightened her grip on Huo Jingshenâs arm, âThey should better match the theme of today, a bit more upbeat, not the typical ones. Ideally, some obscure ones.â
Xing Siqing: ââ¦â
She held the microphone, opened her mouth, but found herself at a loss for words.
She herself had no musical talent. When they were young, Huo Qinyu wanted her to learn the violin, but she quit after a brief attempt.
She didnât have overseas study experience, and her English was just average. On normal days, she only listened to some American pop stars. How could she know any world-famous violin pieces?
Especially the obscure ones?
If she really did name one, sheâd probably get it wrong and become a laughingstock.
This was terrible.
Sheâd shot herself in the foot
Frantically looking towards Ming Hailan for help, Su Wanwan suddenly interrupted, âSiqing, I feel like youâre purposely targeting me.â
âWhat the hell are you talking about?â Xing Siqingâs mouth twitched, her face invisible with discomfort.
âPerhaps I overthought it.â Su Wanwan quickly responded.
Xing Siqing was left speechless again.
What the hell was this darned girl up to?
The next second.
âMiss Ming was initially going to perform with you, but I stole the opportunity. Itâs understandable if youâre a little upset. Well then, my husband enjoys the works of Niccolo Paganini. Why donât you perform one of his pieces for us now?â
Xing Siqing was truly panicked now.
Whatâs this about Niccolo Paganini?
How could she possibly play it?
Just as she was completely flustered, Huo Qinyu could no longer bear to watch and sprang onto the stage, pulling her daughter down.
Su Wanwan quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Since she was young, Su Yuntang has always disliked her, and the only reason she learned the violin was because of Su Xueqinâs insistence.
However, since she started high school and entered her rebellious phase, these skills had been long abandoned. She was very rusty; if she had to perform an international classic, she really couldnât.
So, she purposely made things difficult, dragged it out, and fortunately, Huo Qinyu finally took the stage.
â¦
âMom, what are you doing, let go of meâ¦!ââ
âStop making such a fuss! Donât you think youâre embarrassing yourself?â Huo Qinyu firmly pulled her daughter back to her seat.
Xing Siqing was still unsatisfied, âMom, whatâs wrong with me asking my sister-in-law to perform? I was just trying to bring glory to the Huo familyâ¦â
âEnough!â Huo Qinyu abruptly cut her off.
Looking at Madame Huoâs displeased face, Huo Qinyu quickly apologized, âMom, Iâm sorry. Siqing is too spoiled by me, she didnât mean it, she justâ¦â
âQinyu, I thought after a year, Siqing has grown by a year, and she should have learned to behave better. But I didnât expect that the way she behaved on the second day of the new year was all an act? The leopard cannot change its spots indeed!â
âMom, I was wrong.â Huo Qinyu felt as if she had been slapped in the face, the shame burned her cheeks.
This disobedient daughter, she behaved so well on the second day of the new year, yet today, she just couldnât keep her temper in check.
âAlright, there are relatives and elders from both families present today, letâs not make a fool of ourselves.â Madame Huoâs gaze turned cold, staring directly at Xing Siqing, âSiqing, if you make a scene again, donât show up at gatherings like these and embarrass us!â
Madame Huo rarely got angry, so Xing Siqing had no choice but to swallow her words.
By the time Su Wanwan and Huo Jingshen returned to their seats hand in hand, holding a large bouquet of rainbow rosesâ¦
Madame Huoâs face had already regained her benevolent smile, âWanwan, I didnât know you could play the violin, you play quite well!â
Su Wanwan smiled sheepishly, âI learned for a few years when I was a child, but I havenât played in a long time. Iâve almost forgotten most of it. Iâm glad I didnât embarrass you, grandma.â
Xing Siqing was furious.
This damn woman, the way she spoke was clearly to flatter and curry favor!
As expected, Madame Huo immediately beamed with delight. âNot embarrassing at all, you have brought honor to our Huo family! Ashen, isnât your wife remarkable, are you proud as the husband?â
Huo Jingshen gave a faint smile, âI am indeed honored.â
Su Wanwan looked at him and also smiled brightly.
The sight was captured by everyone present â a handsome man and a beautiful woman, the perfect pair.
However, in another corner, Ming Haijuan curled her red lips, laughing coldly.
Unexpectedly, this Su Wanwan was quite something.
She hid her talents and kept her composure. A strategy of appearing less threatening before making a move.
She was really good at keeping her cool.
**
After the performances, several key figures of the Mingli Association took turns to give speeches.
Until the climax of the anniversary, the announcement of the âCharm Goddessâ selection came.
The host excitedly announced into the microphone, âLadies and gentlemen, next up is our annual beauty pageant of the Mingli Association! Who will be the one to win Madame Mingâs favor and take home the Charm Goddess crown, meticulously crafted and provided by the Ming Group? Letâs welcome Madame Ming, the incumbent president of the Mingli Association, to announce the Charm Goddess of this year. Letâs give her a warm welcome with a round of applause!â
The sound of applause, like a burst of fireworks, filled the entire banquet hall all at once.
When Madame Ming, in a red cheongsam, gracefully walked onto the stage, the applause slowly died down.
Taking the microphone, Madame Ming began her speech with a smile, âI am very happy to be able to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Mingli Association with so many friends and beautiful men and women on Valentineâs Day. Thank you all for dressing up to attend, adding charm to this banquet, and for your patronage over the past 10 years. Our Mingli Association has now become a leader in the charity industry in Nancheng, doing our part to give back to society.â
After a long official gabble, Madame Ming changed subject, âThe selection of the Charm Goddess this evening, our board members have selected three candidates. They are all outstanding socialites, not only possessing beautiful looks, excellent knowledge, and elegant dictionâ¦â
Su Wanwan was almost falling asleep.
The chairman in her seventies was still eloquent and spoke clearly.
Standing on the stage in a cheongsam, with silver hair like snow, her gentle and elegant demeanor, and the beauty that has remained through the years, was simply stunning.
âThe final winner of the Charm Goddess crown isâ¦â Madame Ming scanned the crowd and smilingly announced a name, âSu Wanwan.â
Even before Madame Mingâs words had fallen, Madame Huo exclaimed in surprise, âWanwan, Wanwan, youâve won!â
âAh?â Su Wanwan opened her mouth in surprise.
âWanwan, youâve won! Youâve really won! The Charm Goddess title is yours! Hurry up and get ready to receive your award on stage!â Madame Huo was so thrilled that she could barely contain herself.
Mingzhu also smiled and said, âCongrats Wanwan! You deserve it!â
Su Wanwan: ââ¦â
For crying out loud!
She was a bit panicked, even at a loss what to do, âAre you serious? Really me? Really?â
âOf course, itâs true. I told you so. Just now, I took you to meet several main judges. And itâs your first appearance in front of the family, they have to give our Huo family some respect.â Madame Huo said with a proud look, âMoreover, thanks to Siqing letting you perform the violin on stage, and Ashen showcasing you, you are stunning. If they didnât give you this award, how would they explain it, right?â